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Vigil set for bicyclist struck, killed by sheriff's patrol car

A candlelight vigil is planned for 6 p.m. Tuesday in Inglewood for Alfonso Cerda, who was killed early Monday after he was struck by a Los Angeles County sheriff’s patrol car while riding a bicycle.

The vigil is being organized by civil rights activists Earl Ofari Hutchinson and Eddie Jones and will be held at the site of the crash in the 3500 block of West 107th Street. Cerda’s family members will attend the memorial, according to a statement from Hutchinson and Jones.

“The candlelight memorial will give community residents the opportunity to support the family of Alfonso Cerda in their mourning and again call on the Sheriff’s dept. to examine their policies on bicycle stops and chases,” the statement read.

Sheriff’s deputies believed Cerda was armed with a handgun when they tried to stop him early Monday morning, according to a Sheriff’s Department statement.
Cerda’s bicycle collided with the patrol car at 1:25 a.m. and authorities said he died from his injuries.

But it’s unclear if a weapon was recovered or why the deputies thought Cerda might be dangerous. On Monday morning, several hours after the fatal crash, authorities said they had not yet found the handgun.

On Tuesday, the Sheriff’s Department said it had no further information, and the Inglewood Police Department said it would issue a report on the fatal collision.